@@botstiberinstitute "In the early 1980s, Mr. Okamoto's mentorship ignited my passion for photography's dual power: documenting reality and expressing art. His influence shaped my career and left an indelible mark.” Thank you so much! Daniel Cima
For a class, I individually attended an event yesterday at the German-American Museum in DC, where his collection was featured. Along the steps up to the event were his photos. As I walked up the stairs I could already tell that this Okamoto-san had seen, captured, & lived through a lot of history... Though the event didn't mention his death. When I returned home I started researching him, & was both shocked & saddened to find that he killed himself. It made me think about what might have weighed on him? Personally, I think our upbringing & youth has a lot more to play in our lives than we care to admit. By this, I mean, could it have been heavy pressure of living as a Japanese American in times of suspicion? Could it be an emotional toll of witnessing political turmoil up close? Or perhaps the quiet burden of navigating dual identities (that many people likely face) in a country that both made YET excluded? ... I refuse to think that he took his life SIMPLY because he was 'no longer the best.' Also... I wonder what was going through his head when he wrote "the last samurai"... considering a samurai represents honor, loyalty and duty... was it inner conflict between his duty to the US & his personal struggles with his own heritage/identity??? Was it that he felt he had also been through a series of battles -- but for acceptance, identity & for finding a place in society?? I DON'T KNOW. I don't know, but I respect his work. I'm so glad I went to the event & found out about him. Thank you for sharing.
One of the greatest photographers I had the pleasure of working for at the White House! His work still today has only one parallel his student and college Daniel Cima who is in my opinion possibly superior!
Just magnificent, Yoichi Okamoto, a true giant!
Thank you.
Glad you like it!
@@botstiberinstitute "In the early 1980s, Mr. Okamoto's mentorship ignited my passion for photography's dual power: documenting reality and expressing art. His influence shaped my career and left an indelible mark.” Thank you so much!
Daniel Cima
@@DanielCima-f1u A great role model, undoubtedly! Truly an innovator.
For a class, I individually attended an event yesterday at the German-American Museum in DC, where his collection was featured. Along the steps up to the event were his photos. As I walked up the stairs I could already tell that this Okamoto-san had seen, captured, & lived through a lot of history... Though the event didn't mention his death. When I returned home I started researching him, & was both shocked & saddened to find that he killed himself. It made me think about what might have weighed on him? Personally, I think our upbringing & youth has a lot more to play in our lives than we care to admit. By this, I mean, could it have been heavy pressure of living as a Japanese American in times of suspicion? Could it be an emotional toll of witnessing political turmoil up close? Or perhaps the quiet burden of navigating dual identities (that many people likely face) in a country that both made YET excluded? ... I refuse to think that he took his life SIMPLY because he was 'no longer the best.' Also... I wonder what was going through his head when he wrote "the last samurai"... considering a samurai represents honor, loyalty and duty... was it inner conflict between his duty to the US & his personal struggles with his own heritage/identity??? Was it that he felt he had also been through a series of battles -- but for acceptance, identity & for finding a place in society?? I DON'T KNOW. I don't know, but I respect his work. I'm so glad I went to the event & found out about him. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Emily, thank you for sharing your own personal insights. We really enjoyed that exhibition, as well!
One of the greatest photographers I had the pleasure of working for at the White House!
His work still today has only one parallel his student and college Daniel Cima who is in my opinion possibly superior!
What a privilege to work with Okamoto himself!